"Yes, I think I have. I don't remember. He is in his room. He
does not like to leave his room when father goes fishing."

"Dan is fond of the city priests. He cannot get used to the idea of
a priest who goes fishing, like an ordinary fisherman, and who goes
to sea with our husbands."

"He is simply afraid of the sea."

"You may say what you like, but I believe we have the very best
priest in the world."

"That's true. I fear him, but I love him as a father."

"May God forgive me, but I would have been proud and always happy,
if I were his adopted daughter. Do you hear, Mariet?"

The women laugh softly and tenderly.

"Do you hear, Mariet?"

"I do. But aren't you tired of always laughing at the same thing?
Yes, I am his daughter--Is it so funny that you will laugh all your
life at it?"

The women commence to justify themselves confusedly.

"But he laughs at it himself."